Roll of Honour
Private Thomas Percival Stone
Service Number: 1849
Regiment: Queen's Own Oxfordshire Hussars
Conflict: World War One
Date of Death: 8th February 1916
Age at Death: 20
Burial/Memorial Location: Vermelles Cemetery, Pas de Calais, France
Address: 47 Priory Road, Bicester
Son of Alfred & Rose Stone, of 47 Priory Road, Bicester.
"We regret to announce the death of Trooper T. Stone, Q.O.O.H., who has been killed in action in France. The deceased man’s parents live at Priory-road Bicester, and his father is serving at the Front with the motor transport. The fateful news was conveyed to the bereaved family in a communication from Major Hermon-Hodge, who stated that he was killed last week in the trenches.
Trooper Stone joined the Yeomanry some time previous to the outbreak of war, and went out with one of the first contingents of Oxfordshire Hussars. Last winter he was invalided home with frost-bitten feet and spent some time at Bicester before returning to his duties.
Of above average intelligence, he gained a scholarship when quite young, and was one of the many who have given up excellent positions to serve his country. He was exceedingly well known in Bicester, and the greatest of sympathy is felt with the relatives, who have recently lost another child by illness." Bicester Advertiser 18/02/1916
"The evening service at the Congregational Church on Sunday last, although not formally designated a memorial, was morally treated as such to the late Tpr. Tom Stone, Q.O.O.H., by the large congregation assembled.
Two anthems were rendered by the choir, viz., “God be merciful,” and “When my heart is overwhelmed,” and the whole tone of the service was marked with a feeling of deep solemnity.
Taking his text from John iv., v.4 “And he must needs go through Samaria,” the Rev. Smith spoke at some length on the loss which the Church had sustained by the fall of Tpr. Tom Stone, and of the need of some worker to take his place. He said he had been told that the deceased soldier, a member of their Church since boyhood, had continued until appointed secretary of the school, and he recounted these stages of his progress. He remarked that this had continued until he was re-appointed at the last meeting. He also recounted his work with the choir, and said he was one of the Church’s most earnest members. They had hoped to have him back with them, but he had now been called to that higher service. In conclusion the preacher asked for help for the Sunday-school, Church, and choir, and quoted a suitable verse of poetry." Bicester Advertiser 25/02/1916